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Council narrowly upholds planning commission to allow beer-and-wine sales at Mi Ranchito after appeal
Summary
By a 4-3 vote the Stockton City Council denied an appeal and affirmed the Planning Commission's approval for off-sale beer-and-wine at Mi Ranchito (2208 East Main), after public testimony raised concerns about overconcentration in Census Tract 19 and police reported 14 incidents in a two-year period near the site.
The Stockton City Council on Dec. 3 denied an appeal and affirmed the Planning Commission's approval to add an off-sale beer-and-wine (Type 20) license at Mi Ranchito, 2208 East Main Street, in a 4-3 roll-call vote.
Stephanie Ocasio, Director of Community Development, told council the commission found required findings in the affirmative and that the proposal met codified standards except the 500-foot separation requirement, which triggered a waiver under Stockton Municipal Code 16.176040. Ocasio summarized the staff recommendation to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission.
Supporters including Darwin Drew and an applicant representative said the market is a neighborhood-serving business in a food-desert area, meets notification requirements and provides parking. Opponents argued the site is in Census Tract 19, which they described as a disadvantaged area with a high density of alcohol outlets. Mary Elizabeth said the tract "is a disadvantaged community already having 8 liquor licenses in a 1.1 square mile area." Another public commenter, a person who identified as a recovering alcoholic, said increased convenience can exacerbate substance use in affected neighborhoods.
Stockton Police Department Captain Kyle Pierce said police records for a two-year period around 2208 East Main showed a "grand total" of 14 incidents, some not criminal. After council discussion and clarification about municipal code versus ABC calculations, the roll call recorded these votes: Council Members Wright, Blauer and Lens, and Mayor Lincoln voted to deny the appeal and allow the sale; Council Members Padilla and Via Padua and Vice Mayor Walmsley voted to sustain the appeal (prevent the sale). The motion to deny the appeal and affirm the commission passed 4-3.
The decision is administrative and reflects the council's finding to uphold the Planning Commission's determination and conditions of approval; ABC authority and any final licensing remain subject to state review and conditions.
